"Giant King Harald!"
Wrestling with Silas and seeing Giant King Harald appear to block Glinton, Saint Lucas's expression hardened, knowing Silas had come prepared.
But this changed nothing.
"So what if the Giant King shares your burden?"
Seeing Silas's twisted arm, Saint Lucas shouted loudly. "Stephens and I are enough to defeat you!"
"Haha, so you think you are inferior to me?"
Silas laughed heartily, completely ignoring Saint Lucas's words. If he were truly afraid, he would not be here and would not risk his life in every battle.
Indeed, with his knowledge of the future, he only needed to properly cultivate Rocks, Newgate and the others to gain several top fighters in the future. When coming to Mariejois then, it would be much easier.
But was this not also a form of cowardice?
Thinking the World Government immovable after standing for 800 years.
Such thinking was inherently weak.
When had Silas ever shown weakness to anyone? Even when previously weaker than Marine Admirals, facing top fighter pursuit, he had still stubbornly completed his objectives.
In this slave liberation operation, if the situation spiraled out of control and the Five Elders ignored those member nation kings, willing to show their ugly side before them, then Silas would retreat.
He craved fighting stronger opponents, but this did not make him a mindless brute.
Only winnable battles were worth pursuing.
Hopeless battles meant suicide.
But now, he only faced two fighters still a notch below him.
Why show weakness? Why be timid?
"Without fighting, how can you grow stronger?"
Silas's Conqueror's Haki stirred restlessly. His gaze even passed through Saint Lucas and Stephens toward distant Pangaea Castle, as if trying to see hidden secrets within.
"Impudent!"
Seeing Silas actually ignore him, Saint Lucas's expression became dangerous.
"You truly are a dangerous individual!"
Kill him.
The sudden voice in Saint Lucas's mind made him unable to maintain composure.
As if promising something to some unseen existence, Saint Lucas took a light breath, calling lowly, "Stephens, execute those slaves!"
The moment Saint Lucas spoke, everyone present was shocked.
"Silas, do you not want to liberate these slaves? But these slaves who betrayed their masters have no need to live! You can face us two unfazed, but can you watch them be slaughtered?"
As a Celestial Dragon and Holy Knights Supreme Commander, Saint Lucas had his pride. From the day he understood the world, he had never believed he would lose to anyone.
It remained the same now.
If not for quickly capturing Silas, Saint Lucas would not mind a one-on-one duel with him.
But unfortunately, he lacked time.
That lord had spoken. Threats must be nipped in the bud!
"Act!"
"Yes!"
Hearing Saint Lucas's command, Stephens did not hesitate.
Even with thousands of slaves present, even with women and children among them, CP Organization existed for Celestial Dragons.
Celestial Dragon commands were absolute!
"So, Silas, how will you choose? Turn your back on me to save those slaves? Or watch helplessly as they die pursuing the 'freedom' you wanted to give them?"
Saint Lucas looked at Silas, shouting loudly.
"Tell me, Silas, what is your choice?"
Having Stephens execute slaves meant a short-term one-on-one battle with Silas, but he believed he could handle such a risk. He was far superior to his two foolish sons. Even without immortality, he could face Silas directly.
With immortality added, even if Stephens killed all slaves, Silas could not defeat him!
How would Silas choose?
Silas had no choice!
Whatever he chose, he would ultimately pay for invading Mariejois!
The slaves had frozen in terror.
Whether Silas, Saint Lucas, Stephens, Glinton, or Harald, their battle seemed like a natural disaster to the slaves.
How could humans resist natural disasters?
Many slaves prostrated themselves, kneeling on the ground, awaiting Stephens's execution.
More slaves looked at Silas.
Their eyes held hope, clinging to the final hope that Silas could save them.
He could do it, right?
Since Silas and that Marine Admiral called Rona chose to save them, surely they had ways to rescue them?
However, it could not be done.
Even Silas could not protect a group of slaves while fighting two top fighters. Initially blocking Saint Lucas's Conqueror's Haki impact was already his limit.
"Run!"
Silas's voice rang beside all slaves' ears throughout the Holy Land of Mariejois.
"I cannot save you all!"
Stephens raised his hand and swept it. Just the storm from his gesture swept hundreds of slaves into it.
Silas did not move.
Watched by Saint Lucas, Silas chose not to protect those slaves.
His previously twisted arm from special exertion was recovering. As Stephens chose to kill escaping slaves, Silas's condition climbed to its peak again.
"Run!"
Silas said again.
Now more than a wolf, he resembled a furious lion.
He endured and restrained himself, knowing what he should and should not do.
Ultimately, Silas spoke words that shocked everyone present.
"Why do you think I would feel guilty?"
"I gave them the right to choose. They made the choices themselves."
"Someone once told me I am more arrogant than anyone!"
"Haha, exactly. I am not their nursemaid. I gave them the right to choose. Is that not enough? If they die, I will not grieve."
Silas was not some naive child thinking he could save everyone. Liberating slaves might push them from one hell to another.
But so what?
Without courage to bear death, what right did he have to be the White Wolf Pirates captain?
What right to claim opposition to the World Government?
"I will avenge them!"
"However many slaves you kill today, I will kill that many Celestial Dragons in the future!"
Silas's words made even Stephens pause.
Because he could feel Silas was not lying. As his voice fell, Silas's presence expanded to an indescribable degree, as if breaking some invisible shackle.
Conqueror's Haki was the heart's power.
And at this moment, Silas was willing to bear everything!
"So run with all your might!"
"I gave you the right to choose freedom, but obtaining freedom depends on yourselves."
"I cannot guarantee you will live to embrace freedom."
Silas's gaze swept over the surrounding slaves.
"But I guarantee you are free now. You can run with all your strength for freedom."
"You can also stay."
"Trade your deaths for Celestial Dragon deaths!"
Silas's voice was deafening, making all slaves stare in disbelief.
"Stephens, you have now killed 1,653 slaves. From now on, I will kill at least 1,653 Celestial Dragons to accompany them in death!"
Ignoring Stephens and Saint Lucas, Silas's gaze suddenly looked toward the distance.
Toward Pangaea Castle's surroundings, those prosperous, luxurious buildings.
"How long since Mariejois's riot began? How many Celestial Dragons could you evacuate? Those arrogant pigs you have raised for centuries, will they obediently follow your commands?"
Silas suddenly turned, charging toward Holy Land Mariejois's depths.
"Slaughter slaves who mean nothing to you here, or go save Celestial Dragons."
"Come."
"Now it is your turn to choose!"